After this big snowmageddon, all over Baltimore and Maryland, we have numerous of these booby traps called potholes. The city nor the state seems to care about fixing these traps. Probably they want the mechanics to get some business. Till now I have been successfully evading these a**holes. But last week, while driving on I-95 at 60 mi/h on the right most lane, I hit one really hard. It came up unaware on me in the night. After I hit it, the steering went into a big vibration, and I had to hold the steering wheel very tightly. If I had not held the steering wheel so strongly, then car would have either zig-zagged liked a snake or would have hit the median. A major accident was averted. Simultaneously during this time I head a rattling noise from the driver's side of the car. I pulled over, I thought the steering components had been broken. I spent a few minutes on the shoulder and overcame the shock. Then I drove the car slowly, along the shoulder. Did not see any difference. Increased the speed and went into the highway. The car seemed to be doing fine. Later when I was negotiating a big curve on the highway at 65 mi/h, the rattling noise came up. The steering started to vibrate in my hand. If I am driving on a straight line or negotiating a curve below 60 mi/h I do not hear the noise nor feel any vibrations. Only happens at high speeds and while going along a curve. At low speeds within the city, I notice nothing, except when I drive over rough roads. I can hear this noise as the car hits some bumps or small potholes.

As all of you know, just recently I got ripped off a fortune on the steering pump. I still haven't got over this financial burden. Now I have this new problem. I am not sure whether it is the front shocks or the bushings, etc. or the steering itself. Any one had any such experience before? Please let me know where I should start looking into. So far the steering has not failed. I don't want it to fail when I am driving 60 mi/h. Thanks.

I suggest you jack up the car, pull the wheel on the side you are talking about, and have a look. Better yet, jack up both sides and take off both wheels and compare. Does anything look bent? This happened here in my area to Curtis and when he got his car to my house, lots of parts were twisted/bent up. Doesn't sound quite so bad in your case, maybe you just messed up the alignment, or bent a rim, or unbalanced a tire, but I'd still look around and see. Is the noise coming from the front or rear?

Where are you in Baltimore? I'm at a hotel about 4 miles from BWI and *might* not be doing much this weekend. I could look at the car.

Mike
In COLD Bawmer area, where it's going to snow AGAIN. @#$%^&*

Markus - was thinking about driving up to see you this weekend but it looks like way too much of that white crap is going to impede any northern progress.

I am in Charles Village. Let me know which Hotel you are in. I may be able to come up. I have some things to do on Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Other than that I am pretty much free. Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon will be a great time.

Hi Andrew, thank you very much. Let me see how Mike's schedule is. I have a trapeze class on Saturday afternoon, that I have already pre-paid for. They won't refund me, if I miss a class. And I have missed a few classes! So I don't want to miss that class. Other than that, I am free at other times this weekend.

It looks like a loose steering column. I read the Steering section of the CD and found that the steering play is a little too much. Who knows, you guys will know exactly where to look and spot the trouble.